Following the fourth of Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke today (26.06.2025) about the supply of fifty -generation fighter stealth fighter aircraft F-35 and for equipment programs aimed at boosting Turkish air defense.
Erdogan also referred to the state of US -Turkish relations, the very good communication and relationship he maintains with Donald Trump but also to the geopolitical developments with the point of reference to the course of the war in Ukraine.
Initially, the Turkish president pointed out that Ankara has not resigned from the F-35 aircraft, while arguing that his country unjustly eliminated from the fifty -generation fighter schedule and how it is about an issue that has technical and political dimensionson which consultations continue.
Erdogan revealed yesterday (25.06.2025) that he discussed with Trump about the F-35s: “We paid about $ 1.3 billion for the F-35s. We saw that Trump has good intentions for their delivery».
«We have not given up on F-35. We are discussing with our interlocutors our intention to return to the program. The F-35 program is a process with a technical and political dimension. Turkey has been unjustly blocked by the program. We have always criticized this move, which is not in line with the spirit of the alliance. We discussed the topic in our talks with Mr. Trump. Technical negotiations began. God will be progress“, The Turkish president said when asked what was going to come with Turkey’s return to the F-35 program.
The reinforcement of Turkish air defense
The Turkish president also said Turkey’s anti-aircraft defense is not exhausted in the Russian-made S-400 missile system, which was the reason for the elimination of Ankara from the F-35 program. Specifically referring to the issue of Turkish anti -aircraft defense, President Erdogan said:
«We need to create a multilevel system. It is very important to have rockets (reaching) at various heights and work harmoniously, like members of a body. We have reached as a country at a point, but we are not content with it. We need to increase our missile abilities.
We build a system that incorporates many systems, namely our “steel dome, combining anti -aircraft defense systems in different heights, our sensors and electronic warfare systems, implement the” system of systems “. We have the excellent weapons systems of Siper, Korkut, Hisar, Sungur and many more that we developed with domestic and national resources. If we were staying in our corner by saying that “whatever we will buy them from somewhere” or “as long as we have money they will sell us”, would all have happened? No”.
US -Turkey Relations
Regarding Turkey’s relations with the US, Recep Tayyip Erdogan argued that “With my friend Trump we open the door for a new era in Turkish -American relationships».
Trying to give an example of it, he said that ‘Telephone diplomacy between us with Trump has not exceeded 24 hours to date. If I call him, he answers immediately within 24 hours».
He also noted that the new US ambassador to Turkey is very sensitive to these issues. “We are trying to take steps that will bring growth to our countries,” he said and added:
“On regional issues, with an emphasis on Syria, we have expressed and continue to expressly express our sensitivities to the American side, especially with regard to the Syrian democratic forces (SDF, the Kurdish forces of Syria).”
“Turkish -American relationships, although fluctuating from time to time, are always of strategic importance. Constructive contacts with Mr Trump have also allowed the establishment of a bridge on some difficult issues, ”the Turkish president said.
The War in Ukraine and the Macron Meeting
On the Ukrainian war and the mediating role of Ankara, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his final goal is to hold a meeting in Turkey at the leadership level. He clarified that he conveyed his position to the President of the United States during their meeting in The Hague.
«If Russian President Vladimir Putin comes to Constantinople or Ankara to find a solution, I will come to Constantinople or Ankara too“Donald Trump allegedly replied.
According to Tayyip Erdogan: “Ukraine and Russia have repeatedly shown that they trust Turkey. Talks held in Constantinople opened a window in peace. We realize that developments on the field limit the range of diplomacy, but we will not let the slightest hope for peace be lost. “
Finally, referring to his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the Hague summit, he said That he discussed with him and Cyprus.